The Shankaracharya temple in Kashmir is situated in the Srinagar district on a hill, at a height of 1100 ft. above surface level of the main city on the hill. It is believed that Raja Gopadatya got the temple constructed , giving it the name of Gopadri. Sri Adi Shankaracharya is supposed to have stayed here when he visited Kashmir to revive Sanatan Dharma, thus giving the temple the name of Shankaracharya Mandir and the hill itself is referred to as Shankaracharya Hill.

The temple is of great importance, not only from the point of view of religion, but also from architectural viewpoint. A high octagonal platform supports the temple, approached by a flight of approximately hundred steps. The sidewalls of the steps once bore some valuable inscriptions.
Their Holinesses Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji and Pujyasri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji visited the hill temple during Their tour to Jammu & Kashmir more than a decade back. Their Holinesses had visited several other temples in Jammu and Kashmir, and performed the Chandramouleeswara Puja at Their camping place.

Kanchipuram and Kashmir

The great Saint Adi Shankaracharya, who hailed from the southern part of the country had travelled to Kashmir, more than two millenniums ago and spread the message of truth, oneness & harmony.

The Rajatarangini authored by Kalhana has recorded the existence of a temple in the name of Shankaracharya and its renovation by a Kashmiri King Gopaditya. The Shankaracharya Hill on which the temple is situated in the heart of Srinagar is a place of great significance to the people of Kashmir and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for those visiting Kashmir.

The Kashmiri Pandits till date chant in their homes a hymn known as Gauri Dashakam composed by Adi Shankaracharya.

History shows age old connection existed between Scholars of Kashmir and Kanchipuram based on available works on Kashmiri Sharada Script. Sarvajna Peetam exists in both the places

Acharyas who have visited Kashmir

Shri Adi Sankara

Shri Shankara’s disciple Shri Sureshvara

The 16th Acharya Shri Gauda Sadashiva was a Kashmiri

Many later Acharyars are reverred by Kings as perceptors.

King Lalitaditya of Kashmir established Anna dana shala in the name of 31st Acharya Shri Shilianidhi Brahmanandaghana

Welfare of the Kashmiri people is uppermost in the minds of Their Holinesses Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji and Pujyasri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji, who have performed yatras to J&K. The Seers have been striving hard towards the preservation of the Vedic Dharma there.

With the blessings and benign guidance of Their Holinesses Pujyasri Shankaracharya Swamijis, several programmes with a focus on Kashmir have been organized by Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham in recent times. Details of the same are presented below:

Kalhana’s Rajatarangini is a work relating the Parampara of kings that ruled Kashmir. It is written by Kalhana in the form of poems in eight chapters termed Tarangas (Waves) describing the lives and exploits of these kings and the conditions that prevailed in Kashmir during their times. This way it contributes to the study of history of that region during those times. This study is based upon the book written by M.A.Stein, who has translated this work in English from the Sanskrit original. On kamakoti.org, the essence of each of the eight chapters is presented.